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Herbaceous Perennial

Silene chalcedonica 'Carnea'

Maltese cross 'Carnea'

A tall perennial to 1.2m in flower, with rough, oval-shaped basal leaves and stiff, hairy stems bearing smaller, clasping leaves. Densely-packed, domed clusters of coral pink, cross-shaped flowers with notched petals are produced at the tips of the stems in early to mid summer

Synonyms

Lychnis chalcedonica 'Carnea'

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Silene can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with opposite, untoothed leaves and solitary or clustered flowers with 5, usually notched petals
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. May need support in exposed situations, see staking: perennials

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division of established clumps, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring. Will self-seed in place, but seedlings may vary

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Prairie planting
Wildflower meadow
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage further flowers and to control seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, aphids and cuckoo spit

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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